schools and businesses today. A week rarely goes by without a
reminder of the pervasiveness of sexual harassment as a social
problem. Sexual harassment is a growing problem in the government
agencies, schools, and the corporations of the world; however, many
corporations are now adopting new anti-harassment policies.(Conta)
The definition of sexual harassment is any unwanted or
inappropriate sexual attention. That includes touching, looks,
comments, or gestures. A key part of sexual harassment is that it is
one sided and unwanted. There is a great difference between sexual
harassment and romance or friendship, since those are mutual feelings
of two people. Often sexual harassment makes the victim feel guilty,
but it is important for the victim to remember that it is not their
fault, the fault lies totally on the person who is the harasser.
Many times fear is involved in sexual harassment because it
isn't about physical attraction, it's about power. In fact, many
sexual harassment incidents take place when one person is in a
position of power over the other; or when a woman has an untraditional
job such as a police officer, factory worker, business executive, or
any other traditionally male job. Typical victims of harassment are
young, single, college-educated, members of a minority racial or
ethnic group (if male), in a trainee position (or office/ clerical
positions if male), or have an immediate supervisor of the opposite
sex. (Cq researcher 542)
Presently, it is hard for courts and others to decide when
sexual harassment has taken place because the definition of sexual
harassment is much too broad. Clearing up the legal definition of
sexual harassment would discourage and punish harassers and bring
comfort to the victims. Here are some points to remember in deciding
when sexual harassment takes place: Sexual harassment